The Wondrous Gift of New Life
Read Luke 3:7-18.
“Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” –Luke 3:8
We know little about John the Baptist, but we know that he was eccentric. His clothing was made of camel’s hair, and his meals consisted of locusts with wild honey (Mark 1:6). He lived in the wilderness, and as we read in Luke 3 today, he preached a difficult message. And yet, crowds flocked to the river Jordan to hear him preach and be baptized. Why was he so popular?
John preached that a new way of life is possible. “Bear fruit worthy of repentance,” he preached. You used to live a certain way, burdened by your sins – that way of life is over. Bear fruit that reflects your new life, live into the new heart that God is shaping within you, John told them. If you have extra clothing – give it away. If you are a tax collector, be honest and do not take more than you should. If you are a soldier, don’t extort money or take advantage of your power. In other words, John taught that we don’t have to fall into the same old sinful patterns that wreaked havoc in our lives. It is possible to have a new life through the grace of God, a fruitful and grace-filled life.
John told the crowds to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Jesus later taught, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5). John preached that a new way of living is possible. The child born on Christmas made this life possible. Jesus modeled for us the new way of Kingdom living. And more, through his death and resurrection, Jesus overcame the spiritual forces that keep us bound to sin. The power of Christ in us frees us from the power of sin over us, and enables us to live into the Kingdom life of freedom and grace. In the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, what a wondrous gift we’ve been given!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts in human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
Praise God for the wondrous gift given on Christmas, the gift of our Savior who frees us from the power of sin so we may bear much fruit and rejoice in a new life of freedom and grace.
Laura Johnson
God of Advent, walk ahead of me, helping me keep sight of your vision of peace. May I hold peace in my heart and pray for peace in our broken world. Amen.
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